Authority: Title 10.1, Chapters 1, 5, 6, 7, and 21.1, Code of Virginia.
A. The amount for Assistance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts includes $140,000 the first year and $140,000 the second year from the general fund for Soil and Water Conservation Districts to coordinate and assist in the implementation of local tributary strategies under the Chesapeake Bay Program.
B. Included in the amounts for Assistance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts is $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund for the Soil and Water Conservation District Dam Maintenance, Repair, and Rehabilitation Fund (§ 10.1-611.1, Code of Virginia) to address needs of dams operated by Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
C. The funds provided in this Item for the Soil and Water Conservation Districts shall be distributed to the greatest extent possible to the districts in accordance with program, financial and resource allocation policies established by the Soil and Water Conservation Board. The June 30, 2002, June 30, 2003, and June 30, 2004, unexpended general fund balances in Assistance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts are hereby reappropriated.
D. Included in the amount for Statewide Non-Point Source Pollution Control, is $3,916,000 $3,612,519 the first year, and $2,150,000 $685,473 the second year from the general fund and $1,200,637 the second year from the nongeneral fund as the Commonwealth's statewide match for participation in the federal Conservation Reserve Program. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 10.1-2128, Code of Virginia, the nongeneral fund source for the second year shall be the nonactive Water Quality Improvement Fund grants that have remained in the fund. Any unexpended general fund balance designated for Virginia's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program remaining on June 30, 2003, and June 30, 2004, shall be reappropriated.
E. Included in this appropriation is $2,179,000 the first year from interest earnings of the Water Quality Improvement Fund, pursuant to § 10.1-2128, Code of Virginia. Of this amount, $2,000,000 is from interest earned on point source funds and $179,000 is from interest earned on nonpoint source funds. These funds shall be used for the Best Management Practices cost-share program.
F. It is the intent of the General Assembly that all interest earnings of the Water Quality Improvement Fund shall be spent only upon appropriation by the General Assembly, after the recommendation of the Secretary of Natural Resources, pursuant to § 10.1-2129, Code of Virginia.
G. Included in the amount for Shoreline Management is $100,000 the first year from the general fund for the City of Norfolk to dredge a channel for boat access in Pretty Lake, a tidal inlet in the northern part of the city. The City shall match the state funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
H. The Department shall transfer $10,000 the first year from the general fund to the fiscal agent of the Rappahannock River Basin Commission, pursuant to § 62.1-69.33, Code of Virginia. The funds shall be matched by nonstate sources. The Commission shall report to the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees on the Commission's activities and accomplishments by November 5 of each year.